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Emission intensity of public conventional thermal power electricity and heat production (ENER 008) - Assessment published Jan 2011: The emissions and emissions intensity of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) from public conventional thermal power plants has decreased substantially since 1990, particularly in the case of SO 2 and NO x . This is primarily due to a decline in the use of coal, and replacement of old, inefficient coal plant as well as the use of abatement techniques. However, since 2000 a rise in the coal-fired electricity production has slowed the decline in emissions intensity. Rising overall electricity consumption has also acted to partly offset the environmental benefits from improvements in emissions intensity.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Emission intensity of public conventional thermal power electricity and heat production
Emissions from public electricity and heat production - explanatory indicators (ENER 009) (ENER 009) - Assessment published Jan 2011: Between 1990 and 2007, EEA32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from public electricity and heat production fell despite a 32% increase in the amount of electricity and heat produced. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions increased by 0.8% from the 1990 baseline, as a result of fuel switching and efficiency improvements. SO 2 emissions fell by 62%, due mainly to abatement techniques, use of low-sulphur fuels, and fossil fuel switching. NOx emissions fell by 39%, primarily due to abatement techniques. Some emissions have risen in recent years due to increased utilisation of existing coal plant with higher emissions per unit of output.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Emissions from public electricity and heat production - explanatory indicators (ENER 009)
GHG emissions - outlook from IEA (Outlook 036) - Assessment published Jun 2009: Global energy-related emissions of CO2*, the largest contributor to total GHG emissions, are projected to increase by 29 % up to 2030. China is expected to be the main engine for this growth. In terms of energy-related emissions per capita, Russia will be come close to the current largest emitter, the US. However, if countries were to adopt all the energy security and energy-saving policies that they are currently considering to tackle CO2 emissions**, total emissions avoided by 2030 could equal more than the current emissions of the US and Canada combined (or 16 % of the 2030 emissions in the IEA reference scenario), and energy-related CO2 emissions in OECD Europe in 2030 could be less than today's level.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › GHG emissions - outlook from IEA
Net Energy Import Dependency (ENER 012) - Assessment published Sep 2010: The EU’s dependence on imports of fossil fuels from non-EU countries has increased in recent years. Total net imports (imports minus exports) of natural gas, solid fuels and oil (including petroleum products) as a share of primary energy consumption rose from 47.8 % in 2000 to 54.5% in 2007. The increased use of gas, primarily replacing domestic coal, has had a positive environmental benefit within the EU (for example via reduced emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions), but has also increased some risks associated with security of energy supply.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Net Energy Import Dependency
Reducing climate impacts from international aviation: Europe leads the way: The European Commission is proposing legislation to bring the aviation sector into the European Union's pioneering emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) in order to control the rapid growth in CO2 emissions from air travel. Until now airlines have not been subject to the constraints on energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions that other businesses have to live with. Emissions from domestic flights are covered by the Kyoto Protocol's emission targets for developed countries, but international aviation - which makes up the vast majority of flights - is not. In addition, jet fuel for international flights has historically been exempted from taxation. Hence the need for policy action.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Emissions trading: (This video has audio) An explanation of emissions trading. Source: EU Emissions Trading - An Open Scheme Promoting Global Innovation to Combat Climate Change (Nov. 2004), by the EU Publications Office
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Curbing CO2 emissions from road transport: Road transport generates about one fifth of the EU's CO2 emissions, with passenger cars responsible for around 12%. This makes it the second most important source of greenhouse gases. Although there have been significant improvements over recent years in vehicle technology, these have not been enough to neutralise the effect of increases in traffic and car size.
Located in Environmental topics › Transport › Multimedia
Net Energy Import Dependency (ENER 012) - Assessment published Apr 2012: Total net imports (imports minus exports) of natural gas, solid fuels and oil (including petroleum products) as a share of primary energy consumption rose from 54.2 % in 2005 to 55.5% in 2009. The increased use of gas, primarily replacing domestic coal, has had a positive environmental benefit within the EU (for example via reduced emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions), but has also increased some risks associated with security of energy supply. In 2009, 11.7% of net imports were solid fuels, 59.8% were oil and 28.5% were gas.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Net Energy Import Dependency
End-user GHG emissions from energy: Reallocation of emissions from energy industries to end users 2005–2009
Located in Publications
CO2 reductions in EU-15 for electricity and heat production, 1990-2002: Emissions data for Luxembourg is not available and so this country is not included in the calculation for the European Union
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs